Activated Magazine Online - www.activated.org
January 2009
Personally Speaking
Ask those who have achieved greatness in any field for the secrets of their success, and somewhere near the top of most lists will be a visualization of their goal. Throughout years of rigorous training, the Olympic champion pictured himself on the podium, receiving his gold medal. The prima ballerina saw herself doing grand jetés on the world's finest stages. The Nobel-winning scientist imagined his eureka moment. The star saleswoman mentally packed her bags 365 times for that prize spa vacation. It took hard work to be sure, but they got where they did in part by picturing themselves already there. When it finally happened, many will tell you, it was exactly as they had seen it in their mind's eye.
Read the Bible's "Faith Hall of Fame" chapter, Hebrews 11, and you'll see that this visualization technique is nothing new. It says of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others who did extraordinary things, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them." Like the Olympian, the ballerina, the Nobel laureate, and the saleswoman, they each focused on the prize, but with one important difference. The things for which these Bible greats are most remembered were merely steppingstones to the ultimate prize they strove for--God's eternal reward for a life that was pleasing to Him.
So if you want to succeed in this coming year and beyond, "keep your eye on the prize"--whatever it is that you want to get out of life. And for the ultimate in success, find out what God wants you to contribute in this life. Only He knows that, but He will tell you if you ask. Set your sights on that, and God will not only give you the extra umph you need, He will heap on blessings all along the way. And when this life is over, you'll hear Him say, "Well done!" What could be better than that?
Keith Phillips
Perspectives
Adapted from David Brandt Berg
Two types of clocks make a good illustration of the way people tend to see things versus the way God sees things. The digital clock tells the hour, minute, and sometimes the second or even fraction of a second in easy-to-read digital format. That's like the way people often see things in terms of the present only. A clock with hands--what is now commonly called the analog clock--shows the full time cycle, similar to how God sees the whole scope of eternity.
The digital clock is like seeing one tree, whereas the analog clock is like seeing the whole forest. On the digital clock you can't see the forest for the tree; past and future are obscured by the present. But on the analog clock you can see that tree in relation to all the others; you can see at a glance how long it's been since any moment in the past, as well as how long it will be till you're at any moment in the future.
The apostle Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."1 In other words, we have to look beyond the problems that we're going through today to the long-term goal, the happiness and heavenly rewards that are promised us if we make the right choices and live our lives as God would have us live them. - --Maria Fontaine
Relying on a digital clock is like driving on a winding road or on a dark road at night; all you can see is what is immediately in front of you. What you have passed is only a memory, and you can't see the future beyond the next moment. You don't really see where you're going. Relying on an analog clock, on the other hand, is like driving with the aid of a map. At any given point, you can not only see where you are, but you can also see your progress, how far you've come and how much farther you have to go.
The Bible can be compared to an analog clock. Just as the analog clock gives you a better picture of where your day stands by putting the moment in perspective with time spent and time remaining, the Bible gives you a better perspective on your life by putting it in perspective with the big picture--Creation to eternity.
The analog clock is more complicated than the digital, but it's also more comprehensive. It takes more time and effort to learn to read an analog than it does to learn to read a digital, but it's a good investment because the analog tells you so much more. It takes study to understand the Bible. That takes a certain commitment and requires more effort than simply taking each moment as it comes, but it's a much wiser approach to life.
Footnotes
1. Corinthians 15:19, KJV
The princess and the dragon
Michael Roy
An allegory of coming events
The fair young princess was deeply in love. Though she'd never met her beloved face to face, the loving words he had written her from afar had won her heart and filled her life with song. She had already accepted His proposal of marriage, and in her heart she knew that she belonged to him and that one day she and the Prince of Light would live happily ever after in the wonderful place he was preparing.
But while she waited for him to come for her, the prince's arch-rival, the Ruler of Darkness, tried everything he could imagine to win the princess away from her lover. He offered her riches, fortune, and fame, but she could not be bought. To the princess, nothing could ever compare to the love she had received from her prince.
In a final desperate attempt, the Ruler of Darkness devised his most cunning scheme. He would disguise himself as the Prince of Light and make a sudden appearance, declaring that at last her lover had returned. Thus he hoped to win her hand, take over her realm, and steal the place of the Prince of Light.
This man who claims to be the Prince of Light is an impostor!
When the deceiver rode majestically into the princess's realm, many were convinced that at last the great Prince of Light had returned, and it wasn't long before he had won the hearts of the people by bringing a new era of peace and prosperity to the realm.
At first he showed a great deal of patience in courting the princess, but she sensed that something was wrong and refused to give herself to him. She searched the many love letters the Prince of Light had sent her, looking for a clue, and found something that made it all clear. "The day of my return will not come until my enemy, the Ruler of Darkness, shall come in my name and deceive many. But do not fear, my love, because shortly thereafter I will return for you."
The princess sent out a warning: "This man who claims to be the Prince of Light is an impostor! He's our mortal foe, the Ruler of Darkness! Have nothing to do with him!" A great uproar followed, and there was a division in the realm between those who believed the princess's warning and those who remained deceived.
When news of the princess's denunciation reached the Ruler of Darkness, he could not contain his rage. He dropped his mask and was revealed to be the monster he had been all along--a horrible, serpent-like red dragon. No longer would he try to win the princess. He would destroy her!
The dragon went on a rampage after the fleeing princess, but just when he was about to catch her, she was miraculously given wings like those of a great eagle and escaped into the wilderness.
This so infuriated the dragon that he demanded that everyone in the realm pledge allegiance to him or be killed.
After searching for many months, the dragon and his forces caught up with the princess. "At last I've got you!" he roared.
He opened wide his foul mouth, bared his fangs, and was about to devour her, when suddenly a blinding flash of light and the thunderous blast of great trumpets from the heavens froze him in his tracks. His beady eyes shot skyward and registered his horror. There in the clouds the Prince of Light was returning to save the day! With a mighty shout he called his love, his bride for whom he had come, and he swept her up to his palace in the sky. At last the princess was safe in the arms of her true love!
The prince and the princess were wed amid the grandest celebration ever held, while the dragon's forces were destroyed and he was cast alive into a bottomless pit.
* * *
This plotline is not taken from a book of legends or fables, but from the Bible. According to the Bible, Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" and "Light of the World," [1] and those who believe in and receive Him are His bride. [2] Although He is not with us physically now, we can know Him very well through His words, which are like love letters. [3]
The Ruler of Darkness is Satan, the great deceiver, who seeks to turn Jesus' bride away from Him. [4] Satan, whom the Bible likens to both a great serpent and an infanticidal dragon, [5] will soon possess a man known as the Antichrist, who will then become a powerful world leader and rule for seven years. For the first three and a half years he will deceive many into believing that he is their savior. But during the second three and a half years, he will demand that all the world worship him and him alone or be killed. [6] This last half of his reign is known as the Great Tribulation because of the persecution he will bring against the people of all faiths. [7] But God has promised to protect, provide for, and empower those who stay true to Him during this time.
At the end of the Antichrist's reign of terror, Jesus Christ will return "in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory" [8] to rescue His bride. [9] The saved from all ages will be whisked away to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, [10] where Jesus will bestow on His bride eternal "crowns of life." [11] This party will be held in the heavenly, clear-as-crystal, golden city of God. [12]
Footnotes
1. Isaiah 9:6; John 9:5
2. Romans 7:4
3. John 6:63
4. John 8:44; 14:30; Ephesians 6:12
5. Revelation 12:9,4
6. Revelation chapters 12-13
7. Matthew 24:21
8. Matthew 24:29-31
9. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
10. Revelation 19:6-9
11. Revelation 2:10
12. Revelation chapters 21-22
Resolutions
Q: I make resolutions that I feel will help me get more out of life, but no matter how well I start off, I can't seem to keep up the momentum. What can I do to stick with my resolutions and get the results I want?
A: You're not alone. It's difficult when we feel we're not making progress in the areas we know we need to improve in. As much as we try and as many resolutions as we make, we sometimes can't seem to break bad habits or form new good ones. That can become so frustrating and disappointing that we eventually lose faith that we can change. Because we've tried before and failed, we feel we might as well give up.
Though you may sometimes feel that way, the change you desire is possible. You are God's creation, and like the loving Father He is, He's very interested in every aspect of your life. He's ready, willing, and able to give you what you need to be truly happy, make progress, and live up to your full potential. So if you're willing to let God help you, then you'll get the results you're looking for. All He needs is your cooperation and for you to put forth effort in the right direction. If you'll do what you can do, then He will do the rest.
Every setback that you don't let stop you actually strengthens you
Here are some simple tried and proven techniques for solid progress:
1. Be fully persuaded that the change is needed. - Make a list of reasons for making the change. Start with your own reasons, then study God's Word on the subject and add His reasons. Your own reasons may be good, but Word-based reasons will reinforce your conviction and give you something solid to stand on when you're tempted to not live up to your resolution. [1]
2. Ask for and claim God's help. - If you're convinced that a certain change is what God wants for you (and this should be one of the main reasons for wanting to make any change in the first place), you can ask for and expect His help. It is possible for you to change in any area you and God agree needs to be changed, because even the things that are impossible for you are possible for God. [2] He is always there to help you. Regularly remind Him of His promises in His Word to answer your prayers. Such reminders are a sign of your faith in Him, which pleases Him. [3]
3. Set realistic goals. - Unrealistic goals are demoralizing and counterproductive. Don't attempt to break the world record in the high jump on your first try. You'll only become discouraged and quit far short of your potential. Start with the bar at a height you know you can clear with a little work, then raise it a notch at a time.
4. Don't try to improve in too many areas at once. - Determine what your priorities are, and stick to those. Once you're making consistent progress in the big areas, add the others one or two at a time.
5. Program the change into your daily or weekly schedule. - Unless you set aside specific times to take positive action to enact the change--to get more exercise, for example--it will probably get lost in the press of everything else you have to do, like it always has. Begin and end those times with prayer.
6. Confide in someone. - Few things encourage and strengthen resolve like sharing your desire to change with somebody who respects you, understands your reasons, and will cheer you on. This is why support groups such as those offered by Alcoholics Anonymous are so successful.
7. Be open to help from others. - It takes humility to ask your spouse, a close friend, or a coworker for their honest opinion about how you're progressing toward your goal, but they can provide insight as well as encouragement. Nearly everyone in the record books and history books had a coach, trainer, mentor, or supportive family member.
8. Make a pact. - Work together with someone who shares the same goal. Challenge each other. Spur each other on. Help one another up when one stumbles. Victories are sweetest when they're shared.
9. Be patient. - Progress usually comes one step at a time, and sometimes that one step is the result of two steps forward and one step back. As long as you're making some forward progress, you're on your way toward reaching your goal. Consistency is the key. It takes six weeks to two months to build a new habit.
10. Don't quit. - If you slip back into your old habits, don't condemn yourself and don't give up. Review your list of reasons for wanting to change. Reevaluate your means for making that change. Fix whatever went wrong. Pray and claim appropriate promises from God's Word. Then get up and try again. Every setback that you don't let stop you actually strengthens you.
Footnotes
Matthew 24:35
Luke 18:27
Hebrews 11:6